Item 11A - MemoCity of Southlake
Department of Planning
MEMORANDUM
July 28, 2004
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ken Baker, AICP, Interim Planning Director
SUBJECT: Discussion Item- Revisions to Sign Ordinance 704-B: Progress Report from the Planning
and Zoning Commission.
REQUESTED ACTION: The purpose of the discussion on the sign ordinance is as follows: 1)
update City Council on the work completed by the Planning and Zoning
Commission; and 2) review and approve the direction proposed by the
Planning and Zoning Commission for a comprehensive revision to the
sign ordinance.
BACKGROUND: The following summarizes the Planning and Zoning Commission's actions
to date.
• January 2004-City Council requested that the Planning and Zoning
Commission review the sign regulations for the SH-114 corridor.
• February & March 2004 -The Planning and Zoning Commission held
worksessions on the sign ordinance. Requested that the scope of the
sign ordinance review be broadened to include the entire city.
May 2004- The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a
sign image preference survey (May 2004). The survey consisted of
156 signs in nine different categories. The survey allowed the
Planning Commission an opportunity to rate pictures of various
types of signage and supplied valuable input to define what they
liked and disliked in regards to sign design and placement See
Attachment Al
June 2004- Utilizing the results from the image survey, the Planning
Commission developed a findings document which summarized
development characteristics that they felt were desirable for the
community. This document will serve as a framework for the
revisions to the sign ordinance (See Attachment B).
• Jules- Created an action plan for a comprehensive revision to the
sign ordinance.
Proposed Action Plan
1) Sign Regulations: Establish specific sign regulations for the various
planning areas throughout the city (i.e. SH 114 corridor, FM 1709 corridor,
Davis corridor, Continental corridor, Caroll/White Chapel corridor). These
planning areas will have distinct boundaries which will contain specific
regulations for the provision of signage. Regulations will reflect the main
design principles derived from image preference survey conducted by P&Z.
Guidelines will likely vary depending on the following factors:
function and speed of surrounding roadways servicing the proposed
development;
• type, scale and character of use (office campus vs. strip retail); and
• surrounding environment (context).
2) Incorporate sign regulations into the zoning ordinance. Incorporate
sign regulations into the zoning ordinance to allow in some cases review at
the site plan and rezoning stage and ensure that an approved sign is:
• responsive to the aesthetics and character of its particular location
(adjacent buildings and surrounding neighborhoods);
• compatible and integrated with the building's architectural design and
other signs on the property;
• an integral component of style and character of the buildings to which
it relates;
• appropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains; and
• expressive of the community as a whole.
3) Worksessions and Public Hearing. Planning and Zoning Commission
conducts worksessions and a public hearing on the proposed ordinance.
Following the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission
forwards a recommendation to City Council.
4) City Council. City Council considers revisions to the sign ordinance.
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS: None
LEGAL REVIEW: Proposed ordinance language will be reviewed by the City Attorney's office.
SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTS: Attachment A -Sign Image Preference Survey
Attachment B- Findings of the Sign„ Image Preference Survey